Chandeliers are some of the most fun – and challenging fixtures to choose. They add style and become part of the home decor. Like any decorative piece, the right chandelier can make a big difference in the look and feel of a room. If you take the time to pick the right chandelier, it can be a great conversation piece as well as a part of your home that really makes you feel as though you are living in the lap of luxury.
Here is what you need to know about choosing a chandelier:
Location
Decide where to hang your chandelier. The location will affect the style of home lighting you choose. While most people think of chandeliers in dining rooms or a foyer, there are many other places you can hang a chandelier. When in doubt always go with more light potential, you can always dim down or replace bulbs with lower watt alternatives. Hang one with over your bed in and turn it down for a romantic feel. Install a mini chandelier over the tub in your bathroom for a touch of glamour. Consider installing mini chandeliers over a large kitchen island for a chic look.
Style
Your light fixture should fall within the parameters of your room’s overall design scheme – traditional contemporary, modern, etc. but don’t follow the style rules too closely. Pay attention to your instincts when shopping for a chandelier, if you fall in love with an edgy crystal chandelier for a contemporary space that may look just as stunning as a large drum shade. The chandelier should complement, not detract from, the theme of the room.
Size
This is often the part of shopping that is most perplexing – how big should your chandelier be?
Determine the correct diameter. Measure the length and width of the room in feet, and add those two numbers together. For example, if your room is 8 feet wide by 12 feet long, the sum is 20 feet. Change that number to inches and you will get a number that works for the diameter of your chandelier. In this case, a chandelier with a diameter of 20 inches would work well in an 8-foot by 12-foot room. For a dining room, the chandelier should have a diameter around 12 inches less than the table is wide. A slightly larger fixture will always work better visually than a smaller one. Smaller fixtures throw off the proportions of a room and can look diminutive and silly, whereas slightly over-sized fixtures command presence.
Make sure you measure for the length of the chandelier. The taller the ceiling, the taller the chandelier. A foyer chandelier should hang about 7 feet off the floor, measuring from the bottom of the chandelier. For a chandelier suspended above a dining room table, there should be around 30 inches from the bottom of the chandelier to the tabletop for a dining room with an 8-foot ceiling.
Inspiration
Before you shop, gather inspiration from magazines and websites and take three to five photos with you – it’s a good idea to have a photo of your own room too. Show the photos to your lighting salesperson and tell them in general terms what you’re looking for. Lighting professionals are uniquely qualified to help you zero in on several options that could work in your space.
All images via Domaine Home
Height
Make sure to adjust the height of the chandelier. Remove links in the chain and coil up the extra electrical wire in the ceiling. If the chandelier does not have a chain, see if it has a sliding adjustment on the cord. Most chandeliers without chains have a sliding mechanism that allows you to shorten the length.
